70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
#2682369
07/29/19 02:07 PM
07/29/19 02:07 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161 Los Angeles, CA
JF_Moparts
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161
Los Angeles, CA
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I have a 1970 Challenger, 440 4-spd with electronic ignition. I’m pretty sure it used to be points and was updated by the former owner.
The problem I’m having is that while I’m driving down the road the engine will stall abruptly. This happens at idle, and also under throttle. I’ve had it at about 1/3 throttle and watched it stall. When it stalls I steer to the side of the road and usually it starts up after about a minute, sometimes right away. It's a very quick stall - it doesn't chug or stutter beforehand. The car is running great, and then all of a sudden the rpm's are 0.
I’m a shadetree mechanic but certainly no expert.
At first I thought fuel delivery. I adjusted the carb and replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump. No change.
Then I thought ignition, and replaced the coil. No change.
Now I’m wondering if the ballast resistor is going bad, and if the ballast resistor is even the correct one. Here’s a picture of the firewall ballast resistor. Shouldn’t it have 4 connectors for the electronic ignition?
Thanks.
Jim
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#2682420
07/29/19 04:20 PM
07/29/19 04:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,813 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,813
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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Oh, I hadn't heard about the orange ECM. Problematic? The newer ones made in the past 15 or so years, yes. There was this topic recently that talks about new(er) ECU's and their issues. The orange box is mentioned in there too. ECU LINKY
Last edited by Satilite73; 07/29/19 04:29 PM. Reason: added linky
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#2682432
07/29/19 04:41 PM
07/29/19 04:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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I'm thinking dist pickup coil/ECU or maybe a loose connection which might be a bear to track down. You are fine on the 2 terminal ballast. Your parts house has 4 terminal ECU's for cheap. I dont like to shotgun parts at a problem but carrying a spare ECU is always a good idea (if it turns out that ain't it) if you cant borrow one to do a check. Nothing was changed right prior to this happening?
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: RapidRobert]
#2682434
07/29/19 04:47 PM
07/29/19 04:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,813 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,813
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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Forgot to mention, make sure the ECU has a GOOD ground. Is there paint under those screws? On my cars where I can access the back, I'll use a nut and bolt rather than rely on self tapping screws. I'll also run a ground strap from the mount to the block too.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#2682457
07/29/19 05:36 PM
07/29/19 05:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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Not normal. check/tighten the female connector or if it is the ballast windings/one of the terminals, replace it
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: Pacnorthcuda]
#2682508
07/29/19 08:02 PM
07/29/19 08:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,395 Highland, MI.
Sunroofcuda
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,395
Highland, MI.
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Ballast resistor. Just replace it & see if the problem is solved. Same exact thing happened to me before.
No Man With A Good Car Needs To Be Justified
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#2682530
07/29/19 09:32 PM
07/29/19 09:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003
Salem
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Forgot to mention, make sure the ECU has a GOOD ground. Is there paint under those screws? On my cars where I can access the back, I'll use a nut and bolt rather than rely on self tapping screws. I'll also run a ground strap from the mount to the block too.
This. I fussed around on one of my cars because some Meathead used a wood screw to attach it to the firewall. After that it would cut out at WFO. Scuffed and re-attached and has been good.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: topside]
#2682831
07/30/19 07:40 PM
07/30/19 07:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,348 Omaha Ne
TJP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,348
Omaha Ne
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A few intermittent's we've found: One of the wires to the pickup inside the Distributor was broken internally, likely from the vacuum advance movement. The 12V female connector for the control box was set too deep in the molding barely making contact. It would die when the R door was closed too hard, LOL Bad Coil wire in the cap, arced it's way to a burnt up mess And last, A mopar conversion kit wired to the wrong side of the ballast limiting the V to the control box. keep us posted
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Re: 70 Challenger stalls abruptly. Advice needed.
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#2683524
08/01/19 08:58 PM
08/01/19 08:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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the blue wire on the blue/brown pair should go to the coil positive primary terminal & I'm assuming the brown wire is ign2 "cranking". On the near side terminal (ign1 "run" voltage) the blue wire is the ign1 (run) circuit & the red wire likely goes to the ECU "power in" terminal at the ECU pentastar connector. If the pentastar plugin connector is OE, that power in wire would originally be red and it would be blue/yellow if this is an MP add on electronic conversion kit (which I am assuming it is) with the pigtails & the orange or chrome ECU both of which are 4 pinners. Holler back.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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